Humidifying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A humidifying apparatus for installation in a warm air heating system includes a housing having a water chamber open at its upper end. A pair of spider elements are supported for rotation on the housing over the opening. A plurality of tubular evaporator elements are pivotally and removably connected to the spider elements and during rotation of the spider elements are immersed in the water chamber, emerge therefrom, and are moved into the path of heated air forced through a heating duct.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,773,306

Duque [45] Nov. 20, 1973 [541 HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS 552,457 4/1943 Great Britain 261/92 418,158 9/1910 France 261/92 Inventor. Mlchael. B. Duquet, Gregory Gennany u Dr Chlcago Heights, UL 60411 850,106 9/1939 France 261/80 [22] Filed: July 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 164,732 Primary Examiner-Robert Halper Attorney-Richard J. Myers [52] U.S. Cl. 261/92, 261/DIG. l4;DlG. 15

[5l] Int. Cl. B01f 3/04, B01f 7/12 [58] Field of Search 261/92, 126, 80, [57] ABSTRACT 261/191 P, DIG. 14, DIG. 34, DIG. l5;

55/231 234 4003 233/26; 126/113 P A humidifying apparatus for installation in a warm air heating system includes a housing having a water [56] References Cited chamber open at its upper end. A pair of spider ele- UNITED STATES PATENTS ments are supported for rotation on the housing over 613,002 1/1399 the opening. A plurality of tubular evaporator elel,846,057 2/1932 ments are pivotally and removably connected to the 2,237,690 4/1941 spider elements and during rotation of the spider ele- 3,l93,261 7/1965 ments are immersed in the water chamber, emerge 3,505,175 4/1970 therefrom, and are moved into the path of heated air 3'621830 11/1971 forced through a heating duct.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 11,849 7/ 1889 Great Britain 261/DIG. 34 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHUVEO i973 3,773,308 sum l nf 3 INVENTOR MICHAEL B. DUQUET BY L. LM

AITORNEY PMENEURuvzUlsI- 3,773,306

H64 I3 INVENTOR MICHAEL B. DUQUET ATTORNE? PATENEHUV 20 |973 INVENTOR MICHAEL B. DUQUET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the art of humidification and particularly to humidifier apparatus adapted for installation in Athe heat duct of a forced air heating system.

2. Description of the Prior Art Representative patents showing forced air humidification are: U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,258, Sept. 24, 1957 U.S. Pat. No. 3,038,708, June I2, 1962 U.S. Pat. No. 3,136,829, .lune 9, 1964. In humidifiers of the type heretofore mentioned, the unit must be easily installable in the relatively small space of a heating duct. To provide for maximum efficiency of the unit in a small space, it is particularly necessary for the heated air to contact a particularly large wet surface area which is being constantly replaced by another area as the first area loses its water due to evaporation. The present unit of the invention is designed to provide for maximum exposure of surface area and replacement of the same on a continuous basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the prime object of this invention to provide a humidifier of maximum efficiency with easily replaceable evaporator elements affording maximum surface area exposure and being easy to clean and to maintain.

This object is achieved by the invention which includes a housing having a water chamber including a float assembly for maintaining a water level therein. The housing supports a pair of spider wheels interconnected by a power driven shaft and the wheels support a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed tubular evaporator elements. The evaporator elements are connected at their opposite ends by pivot studs to the wheels through spaced openings which are positioned cylindrically from one another around each wheel. Thus during rotation of the wheels, the tubular elements are sequentially immersed in the water chamber and are free to rotate about their own axes.

The unit is placed in the opening of a heating duct and as the evaporator tubes egress from the water in the chamber they are placed in the path of heated air within the heating duct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a side elevational view of a heating duct, partially broken away to disclose a humidifier installation;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a humidifier:

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detail elevational view of an evaporator element;

FIG. 6 is a detail elevational view of a portion of a spider wheel;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the hub portion of an evaporator tube assembly; and

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the hub portion of FIG. 8.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment FIG. 1 discloses a heating duct 10 of a forced air heating system. The duct 10 includes an opening l1 within which the upperportion of a humidifying apparatus 12 is installed. The apparatus 12 comprises a housing 13 having a water chamber 14 provided with an upper opening 15 bounded by an attaching flange 16 which may be conventionally attached to the heat duct l0 so that the openings 11 and 15 are lin substantial communication. The housing 13 includes an off-set chamber 17 within which a float 18 is supported by means of an arm 19 leading to a water inlet valve 20 for directing water to the chamber 14 in conventional fashion as required.

An evaporator assembly is designated at 2l and includes a pair of horizontally spaced spider plates (or wheels) 22 having spokes 23 connected to a hub 24. A rim 25 is suitably formed with the spokes 23, and is provided at cylindrically spaced points thereon with embossments 26 having inwardly facing angularly extending walls 27 provided with openings 28 as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The openings 28 also communicate with a slot 29 to provide therewith a keyhole-like configuration.

A shaft 30 is suitably keyed to and extends through the hubs 24 of the spider plates 22 and on one side of the housing 13 is supported for rotation on a bearing 3l. The shaft extends through an opening 32 provided in the other side of the housing 13 and is connected by means of a connecting sleeve 33 to the drivenshaft 34 of an electric motor 35 suitably supported on one side of the housing 13 by means of a bracket assembly 36.

The spider wheels 22 are secured to the shaft 30 in a manner wherein the axes of the embossments 26 and holes 28 of one spider are off-set with respect to the axes of the embossments 26 and holes 28 of the other spider wheel 22. The evaporator assembly 21 further includes a plurality of tubular evaporator elements 37 each of which includes a cylindrical reticulated member 38, best shown in FIG. 5. The member 38 may be constructed of a suitable screen material such as aluminum, brass or plastic. The opposite ends of the members 38 are connected to screen caps 39 best shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9. Each cap 39 includes a cylindrical wall or rim 40 terminating in an annular flange 41. The rim 40 tapers inwardly and is connected by spokes 42 which in turn are connected to a hub 43. The spokes 42 are connected to an inner wall 44. The cap 39 may be of plastic construction and includes an integral stud 45 having a central slot 46, a tapered head portion 47 and a journal portion 48.

THE OPERATION As shown in FIG. l, the humidifier l2 is installed through the opening 1l of the duct through which heated air flows so that the portion of the evaporator assembly is disposed in the air flow. The water level is controlled in the chamber 14 in conventional fashion by the float 18 and valve 20. The motor 35 slowly or intermittently as desired rotates the assembly 21 so that the evaporator elements 37 of the assembly 21, move from the water chamber 14 into the warm air stream and then return for further immersion. The tubular elements 37 are completely coated with a tilm of water about their entire cylindrical surfaces, exteriorly and interiorly. Because of the sloping disposition of the elements 37 excess water is easily drained back into the chamber 14. Rotation of the elements 37 as a result of rotative movement of the entire assembly assists in the draining of water and also assists in the evaporation and entrainment of the liquid in the heated air stream. Thus maximum efficiency is achieved by maximum exposure of liquid surface area.

The unit may be regulated by a suitable himidistat which activates the unit whenever the humidity falls below a certain level. The rotation of the shaft may be set at 3 rpm.

In view of the angular dispostion of the tubes, the mineral deposits normal to the operation are effectively flushed and returned to the water chamber.

If it islnecessary to replace the tube cylinders or elements 37, the studs 47 are merely pressed together at both ends of the elements 37 with the fingers and the heads then will be forced through the openings 28 and laterally moved through the slot 29 to disengage said tubular elements from the assembly. The caps 39 are now easily removed and new tubular members are assembled with the caps. The studs at both ends are now moved into the keyhold configuration which forces the studs together to permit them to again enter and be locked in the openings 28. The journal portions 48 also permit the tubes to easily rotate in said openings. As indicated, the tubes are disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the assembly which permits the flow of water in several directions and thus increase efficiency.

What is claimed is:

l. A humidifier adapted for installation in the warm air duct of a forced air heating system comprising:

a housing having a water chamber and an opening adapted to communicate with said air duct,

an evaporator assembly, including a pair of spaced plate members disposed within said chamber, means rotatably supporting said assembly on said housing for rotation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of tubular evaporator elements supported on said assembly between said plate members,

means connecting opposite ends of said tubular elements to said plates to position the same in horizontal and relatively circularly spaced relation,

and whereby during rotation of said assembly said tubes are immersed in water contained in said chamber and are then rotated in the path of movement of forced warm air in said duct,

said plates being of spider-like configuration, said means connecting opposite ends of said tubular elements to said plates including flexible quickreleasable securing means,

said quick-releasable securing means including:

cylindrical ly spaced openings in said plates, and flexible headed studs on opposite ends of said tubular elements, 1

said studs being compressible through said openings `during flexing to secure the same in position.

2. The invention in accordance with claim l, said plates including key-hole slots communicating with said openings.

3. The invention in accordance with claim l, the

openings of one plate being offset from their horizontal 6 4. A humidifier adapted for installation in the warm air duct of a forced air heating system comprising:

a housing having a water chamber and an opening adapted to communicate with said air duct, Y i

an evaporator assembly, including a pair "of spaced plate members disposed within saidchamber, I

means rotatably supporting said assembly on said housing for rotation about a horizontal axis,

a plurality of tubular evaporator elements supported on said assembly between said plate members, means connecting opposite ends o'fllsa'id tubular evaporator elements to said plates tdposition the same in horizontal and relatively circularly spaced relation, v

and whereby during rotation of said assembly said tubular evaporator elements are immersed in water contained in said chamber and are then rotated in the path of movement of forced warm air in said duct,

said tubular evaporator elements each including:

a cylinder,

a disc removably connected to each of the opposite ends of said cylinder,

said discs each having horizontally projecting stud means,

said means connecting including an opening on each plate member, and

said each stud means being resiliently engageable with said each opening and being removably secured with said each opening.

5. A humidifier adapted for installation on the warm air duct of a forced air heating system comprising:

a housing having a water chamber and a top opening adapted to communicate with said air duct,

an evaporator assembly including a pair of upright spaced plate members disposed within said chamber,

a rotatable driving shaft interconnecting said spaced members and having bearing means on said housing suspending said spaced members partially within said water chamber for rotation of said spaced members about a horizontal axis,

each spaced member being provided with a plurality of generally circumferentially spaced evaporator bearing structures, the bearing structure on one spaced member facing in the direction of the bearing structure on the other spaced member,

a plurality of generally cylindrically shaped evaporator elements each being rotatively supported transversely between said plates on a pair of opposed bearing structures, one bearing structure being on each plate and each evaporator element being in circumferentially spaced arrangement lfrom adjacent elements, such that each cylindrical evaporator element is spaced from its adjacent evaporator element in an arcuate path sufficient to allow for the passage of air between two successive evaporator elements in aid of evaporation of water from an evaporator element,

whereby during rotation of said assembly said cylindrical tubes are immersed in water contained in said chamber and are then rotated in the path of movement of forced warm air into said duct,

the bearing structure on one plate member connecting at one end of one evaporator element being offset horizontally from the bearing structure on the other plate member connecting the other end of ements to said plates including flexible quickreleasable securing means.

7. The invention according to claim 5, and

said cylindrical evaporator elements having reticulated surfaces. 

1. A humidifier adapted for installation in the warm air duct of a forced air heating system comprising: a housing having a water chamber and an opening adapted to communicate with said air duct, an evaporator assembly, including a pair of spaced plate members disposed within said chamber, means rotatably supporting said assembly on said housing for rotation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of tubular evaporator elements supported on said assembly between said plate members, means connecting opposite ends of said tubular elements to said plates to position the same in horizontal and relatively circularly spaced relation, and whereby during rotation of said assembly said tubes are immersed in water contained in said chamber and are then rotated in the path of movement of forced warm air in said duct, said plates being of spider-like configuration, said means connecting opposite ends of said tubular elements to said plates including flexible quick-releasable securing means, said quick-releasable securing means including: cylindrically spaced openings in said plates, and flexible headed studs on opposite ends of said tubular elements, said studs being compressible through said openings during flexing to secure the same in position.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said plates including key-hole slots communicating with said openings.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 1, the openings of one plate being offset from their horizontal axes with respect to the axes of said openings of said other plates whereby said tubular evaporator elements are inclined relative to a horizontal plane.
 4. A humidifier adapted for installation in the warm air duct of a forced air heating system comprising: a housing having a water chamber and an opening adapted to communicate with said air duct, an evaporator assembly, including a pair of spaced plate members disposed within said chamber, means rotatably supporting said assembly on said housing for rotation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of tubular evaporator elements supported on said assembly between said plate members, means connecting opposite ends of said tubular evaporator elements to said plates to position the same in horizontal and relatively circularly spaced relation, and whereby during rotation of said assembly said tubular evaporator elements are immersed in water contained in said chamber and are then rotated in the path of movement of forced warm air in said duct, said tubular evaporator elements each including: a cylinder, a disc removably connected to each of the opposite ends of said cylinder, said discs each having horizontally projecting stud means, said means connecting including an opening on each plate member, and said each stud means being resiliently engageable with said each opening and being removably secured wIth said each opening.
 5. A humidifier adapted for installation on the warm air duct of a forced air heating system comprising: a housing having a water chamber and a top opening adapted to communicate with said air duct, an evaporator assembly including a pair of upright spaced plate members disposed within said chamber, a rotatable driving shaft interconnecting said spaced members and having bearing means on said housing suspending said spaced members partially within said water chamber for rotation of said spaced members about a horizontal axis, each spaced member being provided with a plurality of generally circumferentially spaced evaporator bearing structures, the bearing structure on one spaced member facing in the direction of the bearing structure on the other spaced member, a plurality of generally cylindrically shaped evaporator elements each being rotatively supported transversely between said plates on a pair of opposed bearing structures, one bearing structure being on each plate and each evaporator element being in circumferentially spaced arrangement from adjacent elements, such that each cylindrical evaporator element is spaced from its adjacent evaporator element in an arcuate path sufficient to allow for the passage of air between two successive evaporator elements in aid of evaporation of water from an evaporator element, whereby during rotation of said assembly said cylindrical tubes are immersed in water contained in said chamber and are then rotated in the path of movement of forced warm air into said duct, the bearing structure on one plate member connecting at one end of one evaporator element being offset horizontally from the bearing structure on the other plate member connecting the other end of such evaporator element to provide for such cylindrical element to be inclined with respect to the horizontal to allow for drainage of excess water back into the chamber.
 6. The invention according to claim 5, and said plates being of spider-like configuration, said means connecting opposite ends of said tubular elements to said plates including flexible quick-releasable securing means.
 7. The invention according to claim 5, and said cylindrical evaporator elements having reticulated surfaces. 